Betty McCollum
DemocraticQ1 If elected, in what capacities would you refer to scientists when you are deciding how to vote on a policy?
“My record in Congress reflects a strong deference to science on health and environmental issues. My staff and I regularly meet with subject matter experts from various fields and interests, including scientists, to ensure professional expertise and the facts are at the forefront of my decisions as a member of Congress. My congressional office has also employed fellows from scientific backgrounds over the years, who’ve helped provide their professional perspective and expertise to help educate and inform my staff and I.”
KEYWORDS: deference, facts, evidence-based
Q2 Recently H.J. Res 140 passed, overturning a 20-year mining ban in the National Forest System land surrounding the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. What is your position on mining projects in this region and what policies, if any, would you support to protect the surrounding watershed?
“In the 119th Congress, Republicans have weaponized the Congressional Review Act (CRA) against environmental protections and our public lands. In February, I led the fight in the House against Representative Stauber’s bill, H.J. Res. 140, that overturned the 2023 mineral withdrawal using the Congressional Review Act (CRA). With the unfortunate passage of this bill, I will keep fighting to pass my bill, the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act (H.R. 588), to permanently protect the Boundary Waters Wilderness from toxic sulfide-ore mining. Additionally, I have voted against all bills that have weaponized the CRA against resource management and land management plans, as well as bills that repeal Biden-era rules that protect our land, air, and water and help us address climate change.”
KEYWORDS: wilderness, pristine, irreplaceable
Q3 Contamination from PFAS and other “forever chemicals” in 21 community water systems in Minnesota exceed national regulations, putting residents at risk of negative health impacts. What policies, if any, do you propose to protect Minnesota residents from the potential impacts of PFAS?
“Earlier this year, I reintroduced the Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act (H.R. 8016) to phase out the use of PFAS chemicals within ten years. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I’ve funded clean water projects in the East Metro to decontaminate PFAS from our drinking water sources. I’ve also funded efforts to research PFAS destruction as the Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.”
KEYWORDS: clean, health, remediation
Q4 There have been multiple hyperscale data centers proposed throughout the state, including one currently under construction. What policies and regulations, if any, do you support to assess and act on the potential impacts of these data centers?
“I’m committed to ensuring data centers can’t be constructed at the expense of our environment, our health, or our utility bills. I’m co-sponsoring the Reverse Big Ugly Tax Breaks for Data Centers Act (H.R. 10448), which would repeal the massive tax breaks for data centers that were included in Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill. I just voted to pass the Ratepayer Protection Act (H.R. 9340) to help prevent data centers from passing the cost of their increased energy consumption on to local communities.”
KEYWORDS: health, sustainability, affordability
Q5 In 2025 alone, the National Institute on Health (NIH) awarded over $700 million for research grants and contracts to Minnesota universities, which directly supported over 7,000 jobs and $1.79 billion of economic activity in Minnesota. What policies, if any, do you plan to implement or support regarding funding for continued science research either at the state or federal level?
“The Trump administration and Republicans in Congress have time and time again tried to cut funding for the NIH. As an appropriator, I’ve worked to protect and restore funding for the NIH, and as the Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I work to support robust funding for medical research at the Department of Defense.”
KEYWORDS: health, research, innovation
Q6 Fatal drug overdoses in Minnesota have significantly declined in recent years, representing a 28% drop from a record peak of 1,392 overdose deaths in 2022. However, compared to White Minnesotans, Indigenous Minnesotans are 7 to 15 times more likely to experience a fatal drug overdose, while Black Minnesotans are 2 to 3 times more likely to die from a drug-related overdose. What policies, if any, do you support to continue the downward trend of overdose deaths for Minnesotans?
“Congress needs to take a comprehensive approach to stop the sale of illicit drugs and compassionately treat addiction by bringing together medical professionals, addiction specialists, researchers, and law enforcement to implement evidence-based strategies. Criminalizing addiction, particularly through mandatory minimum sentencing policies, has failed to achieve that goal. I’ve previously helped lead the bipartisan Community Action Opioid Response Act to provide grants to local entities that are effectively working to address the root causes and consequences of addiction.”
KEYWORDS: compassion, prevention, treatment